John Brown University Receives $322,000 Teagle Grant

Siloam Springs, Ark (February 24, 2000) - John Brown University is pleased to announce it has received a grant for $322,000 from The Teagle Foundation. The grant is given in partial support for The Institute for Learning Enhancement (TILE), a new service for faculty. The Institute is an innovative program of faculty support and education housed on the JBU campus.

Recently, JBU officials have assessed and reviewed the learning opportunities for faculty. What they found was a need for a comprehensive program that links a renewed emphasis on student learning to the University's mission. "JBU is particularly well-suited to model the shift in education today form 'teaching' to 'learning' because of its historic commitment to students and the personal touch our faculty offer," said Dr. Mel Fratzke, University Provost.

The Institute offers comprehensive professional development opportunities for faculty members through its intensive Summer Institutes. "The Summer Institutes are designed to supplement the education most faculty members receive with learning theory, motivational strategies, classroom methodologies, curriculum renewal, and leadership training," Fratzke says.

Rounding out TILE's program are workshops for faculty who teach in the University's Honors Scholars Program. JBU's chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society has been awarded the Alpha Chi Star Award for excellence, reserved for the top 10% of chapters.

JBU's honors directors have traveled nationwide and internationally sharing teaching strategies, consulting with start-up honors programs and contributing to publications on teaching honors students. The TILE will offer a systematic way to introduce new honors faculty to the uniqueness of teaching honors students.

Dr. Shirley Forbes Thomas, Associate Dean of Core Curriculum and Honors Scholars says, "In any institution of higher learning, even experienced faculty seek ways to advance quality instruction. The Institute for Learning Enhancement, thanks to the partnership with The Teagle Foundation will provide the support, professionalism and continuous learning of all our faculty."

John Brown University is a private university providing Christ-centered higher education to over 1,500 students from over 47 states and 33 countries. JBU is recognized by the John Templeton Foundation in their Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges and is included in the U.S. News & World Report's list of top regional colleges and universities.